Method of determining total prove time

ABSTRACT

Methods for operating a flowmeter diagnostic tool are provided that comprise interfacing the diagnostic tool with a flowmeter ( 5 ) sensor assembly ( 10 ). A base prover volume (BPV), a desired number of passes per run, and/or a maximum number of allowed runs may be input into the diagnostic tool. Flowmeter data is received. An estimated total prove time (TPT) necessary to pass a predetermined repeatability requirement, an estimated minimum number of runs needed to achieve the calculated TPT, and/or an estimated minimum BPV may be calculated.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The embodiments described below relate to methods of determining thetotal prove time necessary for repeatability requirements.

BACKGROUND

Custody transfer and other fiscal measurements of liquid products thatare sold by total metered quantity in either volume or mass units areoften required to be validated in situ by a process commonly referred toas meter proving. The practice of meter proving is generally wellestablished in industry. One well-known standard, for example withoutlimitation, that describes the meter proving is the American PetroleumInstitute (API) Manual of Petroleum Measurement Standards (MPMS) Chapter4.8.

It is critical to the success of organizations which ascribe toparticular standards within trade contracts and other binding practicesthat the equipment they use to measure liquid flow for custody transferapplications will consistently meet or exceed the criteria forrepeatability that are described within the agreed-upon standards. Bydoing so, the data from a proving event will result in acceptable levelsof uncertainty for the final average meter factor.

Total Prove Time (TPT) is the time needed to pass proving repeatabilityrequirements as noted above. TPT is also used as a tool for sizing andselection of a prover during design phase of an installation.

Coriolis flow meters are often used to measure mass flow rate, density,and other information for flowing materials. The flowing materials caninclude liquids, gases, combined liquids and gases, solids suspended inliquids, and liquids including gases and suspended solids. For example,flow meters are widely used in well production and refining of petroleumand petroleum products. A flow meter can be used to determine wellproduction by measuring a flow rate (i.e., by measuring a mass flowthrough the flow meter) and can even be used to determine the relativeproportions of the gas and liquid components of a flow.

Problems can arise when Coriolis meters are being used in applicationswhere proving is performed, and a flow meter is experiencing unstableflow rates and “noisy” flows. The level of noise experienced in servicecan be predicted to some degree based on past observations of typicalinstallations, but there are too many overall system design variablesthat can impact flow noise and instability to be entirely sure what theactual variation in flow rate will be once the installation is completeand the system is in service and operating under various sets ofconditions and flow rates.

Further, once measurement in service has begun, if proving difficultiesand especially chronic failures to meet the proving repeatabilitystandards occur, there are many potential causes to consider if the trueroot cause is to be remedied. Due to numerous unforeseen factors, theexpected flow noise level and the corresponding TPT needed to passrepeatability requirements might vary considerably from the TPTpredicted in the design phase.

As a sizing and selection tool, TPT has only been based on assumptionsand estimates of the potential meter flow noise under the expectedprocess conditions. However, present embodiments provide methods andapparatuses that analyze continuous live flow rate measurements from aflowmeter, while in service, to determine and indicate the needed TPTbased on actual current conditions, and thus an advance in the art isrealized.

SUMMARY

A method for operating a flowmeter diagnostic tool is provided accordingto an embodiment. The diagnostic tool interfaces with a flowmeter sensorassembly, and a base prover volume (BPV) is input into the diagnostictool. A desired number of passes per run is input into the diagnostictool. Flowmeter data is received, and an estimated total prove time(TPT) necessary to pass a predetermined repeatability requirement iscalculated. An estimated minimum number of runs needed to achieve thecalculated TPT is calculated.

A method for operating a flowmeter diagnostic tool is provided accordingto an embodiment. The diagnostic tool interfaces with a flowmeter sensorassembly, and a maximum number of allowed runs is input into thediagnostic tool. A desired number of passes per run is input into thediagnostic tool. Flowmeter data is received, and an estimated totalprove time (TPT) necessary to pass a predetermined repeatabilityrequirement is calculated. An estimated minimum base prover volume (BPV)is calculated.

A diagnostic tool for configuring a flowmeter system is providedaccording to an embodiment. Electronics is configured to interface witha flowmeter (5) and receive flowmeter data. A user interface with theelectronics is configured to accept a user input, wherein the inputcomprises at least one of a base prover volume (BPV), a desired numberof passes per run, and maximum number of allowed runs. A processingsystem (303) is configured to run a proving routine (315), wherein theproving routine (315) is configured to at least one of calculate anestimated total prove time (TPT) necessary to pass a predeterminedrepeatability requirement, calculate an estimated minimum number of runsneeded to achieve the calculated TPT, and calculate an estimated minimumbase prover volume (BPV).

ASPECTS

According to an aspect, a method for operating a flowmeter diagnostictool is provided. The diagnostic tool interfaces with a flowmeter sensorassembly, and a base prover volume (BPV) is input into the diagnostictool. A desired number of passes per run is input into the diagnostictool. Flowmeter data is received, and an estimated total prove time(TPT) necessary to pass a predetermined repeatability requirement iscalculated. An estimated minimum number of runs needed to achieve thecalculated TPT is calculated.

According to an aspect, a method for operating a flowmeter diagnostictool is provided. The diagnostic tool interfaces with a flowmeter sensorassembly, and a maximum number of allowed runs is input into thediagnostic tool. A desired number of passes per run is input into thediagnostic tool. Flowmeter data is received, and an estimated totalprove time (TPT) necessary to pass a predetermined repeatabilityrequirement is calculated. An estimated minimum base prover volume (BPV)is calculated.

Preferably, a meter electronics with the flowmeter comprises thediagnostic tool.

Preferably, flowmeter data comprises a flow rate.

Preferably, the flow rate comprises an instantaneous flow rate.

Preferably, the instantaneous flow rate is a flow rate determined over apredetermined sampling window.

Preferably, calculating the TPT comprises utilizing an uncertaintycoverage factor.

Preferably, calculating the estimated minimum number of runs needed toachieve the calculated TPT comprises utilizing a measured flow rate anda BPV.

Preferably, calculating the estimated minimum BPV needed to achieve thecalculated TPT comprises utilizing a measured flow rate and a number ofpasses and/or runs.

According to an aspect, a diagnostic tool for configuring a flowmetersystem is provided. Electronics is configured to interface with aflowmeter (5) and receive flowmeter data. A user interface with theelectronics is configured to accept a user input, wherein the inputcomprises at least one of a base prover volume (BPV), a desired numberof passes per run, and maximum number of allowed runs. A processingsystem (303) is configured to run a proving routine (315), wherein theproving routine (315) is configured to at least one of calculate anestimated total prove time (TPT) necessary to pass a predeterminedrepeatability requirement, calculate an estimated minimum number of runsneeded to achieve the calculated TPT, and calculate an estimated minimumBPV.

Preferably, the electronics comprise meter electronics (20) for theflowmeter (5).

Preferably, flowmeter data comprises a flow rate.

Preferably, the flow rate comprises an instantaneous flow rate.

Preferably, the instantaneous flow rate is a flow rate determined over apredetermined sampling window.

Preferably, calculating the TPT comprises utilizing an uncertaintycoverage factor.

Preferably, calculating the estimated minimum number of runs needed toachieve the calculated TPT comprises utilizing a measured flow rate anda BPV.

Preferably, calculating the estimated minimum BPV needed to achieve thecalculated TPT comprises utilizing a measured flow rate and a number ofpasses and/or runs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The same reference number represents the same element on all drawings.It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale.

FIG. 1 illustrates a flowmeter according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of diagnostic electronics according to anembodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating a flowmeterdiagnostic tool according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating a flowmeterdiagnostic tool according to another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-4 and the following description depict specific examples toteach those skilled in the art how to make and use the best mode ofembodiments disclosed below. For the purpose of teaching inventiveprinciples, some conventional aspects have been simplified or omitted.Those skilled in the art will appreciate variations from these examplesthat fall within the scope of the present description. Those skilled inthe art will appreciate that the features described below can becombined in various ways to form multiple variations of the disclosedmethods. As a result, the embodiments described below are not limited tothe specific examples described below.

The methods described herein may be integrated into a flowmeter or maybe performed using a dedicated diagnostic tool that interfaces withflowmeters and flow systems. FIG. 1 illustrates a flowmeter 5, which canbe any vibrating meter, such as a Coriolis flowmeter/densitometer, forexample without limitation. The flowmeter 5 comprises a sensor assembly10 and meter electronics 20. The sensor assembly 10 responds to massflow rate and density of a process material. Meter electronics 20 areconnected to the sensor assembly 10 via leads 100 to provide density,mass flow rate, and temperature information over path 26, as well asother information. The sensor assembly 10 includes flanges 101 and 101′,a pair of manifolds 102 and 102′, a pair of parallel conduits 103 (firstconduit) and 103′ (second conduit), a driver 104, a temperature sensor106 such as a resistive temperature detector (RTD), and a pair ofpickoffs 105 and 105′, such as magnet/coil pickoffs, strain gages,optical sensors, or any other pickoff known in the art. The conduits 103and 103′ have inlet legs 107 and 107′ and outlet legs 108 and 108′,respectively. Conduits 103 and 103′ bend in at least one symmetricallocation along their length and are essentially parallel throughouttheir length. Each conduit 103, 103′, oscillates about axes W and W′,respectively.

The legs 107, 107′, 108, 108′ of conduits 103,103′ are fixedly attachedto conduit mounting blocks 109 and 109′ and these blocks, in turn, arefixedly attached to manifolds 102 and 102′. This provides a continuousclosed material path through the sensor assembly 10.

When flanges 101 and 101′ are connected to a process line (not shown)that carries the process material that is being measured, materialenters a first end 110 of the flowmeter 5 through a first orifice (notvisible in the view of FIG. 1 ) in flange 101, and is conducted throughthe manifold 102 to conduit mounting block 109. Within the manifold 102,the material is divided and routed through conduits 103 and 103′. Uponexiting conduits 103 and 103′, the process material is recombined in asingle stream within manifold 102′ and is thereafter routed to exit asecond end 112 connected by flange 101′ to the process line (not shown).

Conduits 103 and 103′ are selected and appropriately mounted to theconduit mounting blocks 109 and 109′ so as to have substantially thesame mass distribution, moments of inertia, and Young's modulus aboutbending axes W-W and W′-W′, respectively. Inasmuch as the Young'smodulus of the conduits 103, 103′ changes with temperature, and thischange affects the calculation of flow and density, a temperature sensor106 is mounted to at least one conduit 103, 103′ to continuously measurethe temperature of the conduit. The temperature of the conduit, andhence the voltage appearing across the temperature sensor 106 for agiven current passing therethrough, is governed primarily by thetemperature of the material passing through the conduit. Thetemperature-dependent voltage appearing across the temperature sensor106 is used in a well-known method by meter electronics 20 to compensatefor the change in elastic modulus of conduits 103, 103′ due to anychanges in conduit 103, 103′ temperature. The temperature sensor 106 isconnected to meter electronics 20.

Both conduits 103, 103′ are driven by driver 104 in opposite directionsabout their respective bending axes W and W′ at what is termed the firstout-of-phase bending mode of the flowmeter. This driver 104 may compriseany one of many well-known arrangements, such as a magnet mounted toconduit 103′ and an opposing coil mounted to conduit 103, through whichan alternating current is passed for vibrating both conduits. A suitabledrive signal is applied by meter electronics 20, via lead 113, to thedriver 104. It should be appreciated that while the discussion isdirected towards two conduits 103, 103′, in other embodiments, only asingle conduit may be provided, or more than two conduits may beprovided. It is also within the scope of the present invention toproduce multiple drive signals for multiple drivers, and for thedriver(s) to drive the conduits in modes other than the firstout-of-phase bending mode.

The meter electronics 20 may be coupled to a path 26 or othercommunication link. The meter electronics 20 may communicate densitymeasurements over the path 26. The meter electronics 20 may alsotransmit any manner of other signals, measurements, or data over thepath 26. In addition, the meter electronics 20 may receive instructions,programming, other data, or commands via the path 26.

Meter electronics 20 receive the temperature signal on lead 114, and theleft and right velocity signals appearing on leads 115 and 115′,respectively. Meter electronics 20 produce the drive signal appearing onlead 113 to driver 104 and vibrate conduits 103, 103′. Meter electronics20 process the left and right velocity signals and the temperaturesignal to compute the mass flow rate and the density of the materialpassing through the sensor assembly 10. This information, along withother information, is applied by meter electronics 20 over path 26 toutilization means. An explanation of the circuitry of the meterelectronics 20 is not needed to understand the present invention and isomitted for brevity of this description.

It should be appreciated that the description of FIG. 1 is providedmerely as an example of the operation of one possible vibrating meterand is not intended to limit the teaching of the present invention. Forexample, a Coriolis flowmeter structure is described, but it will beapparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention could bepracticed on a vibrating tube or fork densitometer without theadditional measurement capability provided by a Coriolis mass flowmeter.

FIG. 2 is a general block diagram of the meter electronics 20 accordingto an embodiment. It should be noted that electronics for a stand-alonediagnostic tool may have similar architecture. In operation, theflowmeter 5 provides various measurement values that may be outputtedincluding one or more of a measured or averaged value of density, massflow rate, volume flow rate, individual flow component mass and volumeflow rates for multi-phase flow, and total flow rate, including, forexample, both volume and mass flow of individual flow components. Meterelectronics 20 and stand-alone electronics may comprise a user interfacewherein a user may input data and/or receive outputted data.

The flowmeter 5 generates a vibrational response. The vibrationalresponse is received and processed by the meter electronics 20 togenerate one or more fluid measurement values. The values can bemonitored, recorded, saved, totaled, and/or output.

The meter electronics 20 includes an interface 301, a processing system303 in communication with the interface 301, and a storage system 304 incommunication with the processing system 303. Although these componentsare shown as distinct blocks, it should be understood that the meterelectronics 20 can be comprised of various combinations of integratedand/or discrete components.

The interface 301 may be configured to couple to the leads 100 andexchange signals with the driver 104, pickoff sensors 105, 105′, andtemperature sensors 106, for example. The interface 301 may be furtherconfigured to communicate over the communication path 26, such as toexternal devices.

The processing system 303 can comprise any manner of processing system.The processing system 303 is configured to retrieve and execute storedroutines in order to operate the flowmeter 5. The storage system 304 canstore routines including a general meter routine 305 and a drive gainroutine 313. The storage system 304 can store measurements, receivedvalues, working values, and other information. In some embodiments, thestorage system stores a mass flow (m) 321, a density (ρ) 325, aviscosity (μ) 323, a temperature (T) 324, a pressure 309, a drive gain306, and any other variables known in the art. The routines 305, 313 maycomprise any signal noted as well as other variables known in the art.Other measurement/processing routines are contemplated and are withinthe scope of the description and claims.

The general meter routine 305 can produce and store fluidquantifications and flow measurements. These values can comprisesubstantially instantaneous measurement values or can comprisetotalized, accumulated, and/or averaged values. For example, the generalmeter routine 305 can generate mass flow measurements and store them inthe mass flow 321 storage of the storage system 304, for example.Similarly, the general meter routine 305 can generate densitymeasurements and store them in the density 325 storage of the storagesystem 304, for example. The mass flow 321 and density 325 values aredetermined from the vibrational response, as previously discussed and asknown in the art. The mass flow and other measurements can comprise asubstantially instantaneous value, can comprise a sample, can comprisean averaged value over a time interval, or can comprise an accumulatedvalue over a time interval. The time interval may be chosen tocorrespond to a block of time during which certain fluid conditions aredetected, for example, a liquid-only fluid state, or alternatively, afluid state including liquids, entrained gas, and/or solids, solutes,and combinations thereof. In addition, other mass and volume flow andrelated quantifications are contemplated and are within the scope of thedescription and claims.

Embodiments provided comprise a diagnostic tool capable of indicatingthe estimated minimum TPT need for a flowmeter based on actual observedconditions in service, and thus is useful in determining the root causeand the best course of action to take to resolve proving failures. In anembodiment, the diagnostic tool comprises meter electronics 20 having aproving routine 315 that determines minimum TPT. Other embodiments ofthe diagnostic tool are separate from meter electronics but maycommunicate with a flowmeter system meter electronics 20 by theinterface 301.

Depending on what the indicated minimum TPT need is based upon theactual operating conditions, the simplest solution may be to increasethe number of runs and/or passes to achieve the indicated TPT target. Incontrast, if the diagnostic tool indicates that the needed increase tothe TPT to achieve the TPT target is so dramatic that it would beimpractical to implement, then other solutions may be sought that wouldcause the system flow noise, and therefore, the indicated TPT target tobe decreased to an achievable and/or practical level. As changes aremade to reduce the flow noise, the TPT diagnostic tool can be monitoredto provide instantaneous feedback on the efficacy of the differentimprovements as they are applied, thus validating corrective actions asthey are implemented.

The diagnostic tool is also especially valuable whenever contracting toprove with a portable prover or planning to upgrade a stationary proverto a larger size to increase capacity. With the flowmeter installed andoperating, the TPT diagnostic may be observed at a previously untestedflow rate prior to the arrival of the prover to verify in situ areasonable expectation for whether the proving repeatabilityrequirements will be met at the new flow rate or under the newconditions with a practical number of passes and/or runs using theprover size that is planned. If indicated by the TPT diagnostic, aproving contractor could be directed in advance to bring anappropriately sized prover, or a planned capacity upgrade design couldbe adjusted accordingly in accordance with the data.

Field experience and testing have demonstrated that there is goodcorrelation for certain Coriolis flow meter designs between the TPT andthe probability of successfully meeting the API MPMS Chapter 4.8requirements for repeatability. TPT is defined by the Equation 1.TPT=BPV/(Flow Rate)×PPR×n  (1)Where:

-   -   TPT=Total prove time.    -   Flow Rate=the average or set-point flow rate of the system        during the prove.    -   BPV=Base Prover Volume.    -   PPR=Passes per run.    -   n=Total number of runs.

The TPT is the total accumulated time that the displacer of the proverhas been travelling between the prover detector switches while pulsesfrom the meter were being accumulated during a prove.

The BPV is the total calibrated volume displaced by the prover duringeach pass of the prover displacer while pulses from the meter are beingaccumulated.

PPR is the total number of passes per each proving run during a prove.When multiple passes per run are measured, the resulting volumemeasurement for that run is the average of all the passes taken duringthat run.

The total number of runs (n) is the number of runs that are analyzed todetermine the outcome of a prove. The number of runs also dictates therepeatability tolerance that will apply for the prove in accordance withchosen standards.

In an embodiment, the diagnostic tool determines a TPT target byapplying standard statistical analysis to measure the variation of theinstantaneous flow rate indicated by the flowmeter. Statisticalcalculations are used to compute the ongoing standard deviation of theflow rate data captured over the most recent sample window. The standarddeviation value is updated continuously by repeating the sample processon an ongoing basis and computing a new standard deviation as eachsubsequent sample window is completed. The sample window duration is aconfigurable value, so that it can be adjusted to optimize performanceof the TPT diagnostic. For example, if the sample period duration isconfigured as 5 seconds, then the standard deviation value will alwaysrepresent the standard deviation of the full set of flow rate samplesgathered over the last 5 seconds at the standard sampling rate for thetransmitter. The sampling window may be a time value that ispredetermined by the operator.

The minimum TPT target for successful proving is calculated from thestandard deviation as shown in Equation 2.

$\begin{matrix}{{TPT}_{m} = {\left( \frac{k \times \sigma}{U_{MF}} \right)^{2}/{MSF}}} & (2)\end{matrix}$Where:

-   -   TPT_(m)=Estimated minimum Total Prove Time in seconds.    -   k=Uncertainty coverage factor (e.g., k=2 is equivalent to 95%        confidence).    -   σ=Observed current (short term) standard deviation of the live        meter flow rate indication in %.    -   U_(MF)=Target Meter Factor uncertainty in %.    -   MSF=Meter-specific factor.

The TPT_(m) is the prove time estimated needed to pass predeterminedrepeatability standard to achieve a meter factor uncertainty of U_(MF)with a coverage factor of k, while proving when the meter continuousflow rate sampling indicates a standard deviation of σ for theinstantaneous flow rate.

The MSF is the factor necessary to convert apparent number of samples(n) from the meter a sampling rate into seconds of proving time.

By way of example only, in accordance with API MPMS Chapter 4.8, theU_(MF) would be set to 0.027%, and the MSF may, for some Coriolis flowmeters be set to 26.5. Therefore, Equation 2 would be calculated asfollows:

${TPT} = {\left( \frac{2 \times \sigma}{{0.0}27} \right)^{2}/26.5}$

The embodiments of a diagnostic tool indicate in either units of TPT(seconds), the total number of passes (by count), and/or the totalnumber of runs (by count) needed to pass repeatability requirements.

To indicate the total number of passes needed, a BPV value must berecorded in the device. The total number of passes is calculated fromthe BPV and the measured flow rate as shown in Equation 3.

$\begin{matrix}{{{Total}{passes}} = {{TPT}_{Diag} \times \frac{{Flow}{Rate}}{BPV}}} & (3)\end{matrix}$Where:

-   -   Total passes=the total number of passes needed, whether they are        grouped and averaged into multi-pass runs, or kept individually        as runs.    -   TPT_(Diag)=The Total Prove Time diagnostic value as calculated        by the invention.    -   BPV=Base Prover Volume value recorded in the meter        configuration.    -   Flow Rate=the instantaneous flow rate measured by the meter.

To indicate the total number of runs needed, a BPV value and the passesper run value must be recorded in the device. The total number of runsneeded is calculated from the BPV, the passes per run, and the measuredflow rate as shown in Equation 4.

$\begin{matrix}{{{Total}{runs}} = {{TPT}_{Diag} \times \frac{{Flow}{Rate}}{\left( {{Passes}{per}{run} \times {BPV}} \right)}}} & (4)\end{matrix}$Where:

-   -   Total runs=the total number of runs needed to expect to pass        repeatability.    -   TPT_(Diag)=The Total Prove Time diagnostic value as calculated        by the invention.    -   BPV=Base Prover Volume value recorded in the meter        configuration.    -   Passes per run=the number of passes averaged per each proving        run during a prove.

FIG. 3 . Illustrates an embodiment of operating the diagnostic tool thatallows an operator to enter the base prover volume (BPV) (400) and thenumber of passes per run (402). Flowmeter data is received by thediagnostic tool (404). The flowmeter data may include flow rates,operating conditions, fluid properties, and other meter data. Someexamples of flowmeter data include, but are not limited to, mass flow,volume flow, density, viscosity, temperature, pressure, drive gain, anduncertainty coverage factor. These values may be instantaneous or may beaveraged over a sample range and/or time period. The diagnostic toolthen calculates live indications of the estimated TPT (406) and theminimum runs needed to achieve the TPT (408) given the currentconditions and the entered values for the BPV and passes per run. Thesedata may also be output.

FIG. 4 . Illustrates an embodiment of operating the diagnostic tool thatallows an operator to enter the maximum allowed number of runs (500) andthe number of passes per run (502). Flowmeter data is received by thediagnostic tool (504). The flowmeter data may include flow rates,operating conditions, fluid properties, and other meter data. Someexamples of flowmeter data include, but are not limited to, mass flow,volume flow, density, viscosity, temperature, pressure, drive gain, anduncertainty coverage factor. These values may be instantaneous or may beaveraged over a sample range and/or time period. The diagnostic toolthen calculates live indications of the estimated TPT (506) and theminimum BPV needed to achieve the TPT (508) given the current conditionsand the entered values for the maximum allowed number of runs and passesper run. These data may also be output.

In the above embodiments, the flowmeter may comprise a diagnostic toolwith the meter electronics. In an embodiment, the diagnostic tool may bea separate device from the flowmeter.

As detailed above, the TPT diagnostic increases the ease-of-use of flowmeters with enhanced troubleshooting when proving problems arise. TheTPT diagnostic tool also provides feedback that could be used in futuresystem designs to optimize performance during proving of Coriolis flowmeters. With these live indications, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , theoperator may vary flow rates and system settings and conditions, evenwhen they are not proving, to observe the impact that system settingchanges have on the live TPT and other indicated values. This wouldprovide simple, direct, and instantaneous feedback to test theeffectiveness of different system operating tactics that are beingconsidered with the goal of improving proving results.

The detailed descriptions of the above embodiments are not exhaustivedescriptions of all embodiments contemplated by the inventors to bewithin the scope of the present description. Indeed, persons skilled inthe art will recognize that certain elements of the above-describedembodiments may variously be combined or eliminated to create furtherembodiments, and such further embodiments fall within the scope andteachings of the present description. It will also be apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art that the above-described embodiments may becombined in whole or in part to create additional embodiments within thescope and teachings of the present description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for operating a meter electronicscomprising: providing a Coriolis mass flowmeter comprising a sensorassembly in communication with a meter electronics, wherein the sensorassembly comprises a driver and a pair of pickoffs in communication withat least one flow conduit, and wherein the meter electronics isconfigured to provide a signal to the driver that induces vibrations inthe at least one flow conduit, and receive a signal from the pickoffsduring flowmeter operation; interfacing a diagnostic tool with the meterelectronics; inputting a base prover volume (BPV) into the meterelectronics; inputting a desired number of passes per run into the meterelectronics; receiving, with the meter electronics, pickoff-derivedflowmeter data from the Coriolis mass flowmeter; calculating, with aproving routine of the diagnostic tool, an estimated total prove time(TPT) necessary to pass a predetermined repeatability requirement,wherein calculating the TPT comprises dividing an uncertainty coveragefactor by a target meter factor uncertainty and utilizing the flowmeterdata; calculating an estimated minimum number of runs needed to achievethe calculated TPT; operating the Coriolis mass flowmeter, with themeter electronics, for the minimum number of runs.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the meter electronics with the Coriolis mass flowmetercomprises the diagnostic tool.
 3. The method of claim 1, whereinflowmeter data comprises a flow rate.
 4. The method of claim 3, whereinthe flow rate comprises an instantaneous flow rate.
 5. The method ofclaim 4, wherein the instantaneous flow rate is a flow rate determinedover a predetermined sampling window.
 6. The method of claim 1, whereincalculating the estimated minimum number of runs needed to achieve thecalculated TPT comprises utilizing a measured flow rate and a BPV.
 7. Amethod for operating a meter electronics comprising: providing aCoriolis mass flowmeter comprising a sensor assembly in communicationwith the meter electronics, wherein the sensor assembly comprises adriver and a pair of pickoffs in communication with at least one flowconduit, and wherein the meter electronics is configured to provide asignal to the driver, and receive a signal from the pickoffs duringCoriolis mass flowmeter operation; interfacing a diagnostic tool withthe meter electronics; inputting a maximum number of allowed runs intothe meter electronics; inputting a desired number of passes per run intothe meter electronics; receiving, with the meter electronics,pickoff-derived flowmeter data from the Coriolis mass flowmeter;calculating, with a proving routine of the diagnostic tool, an estimatedtotal prove time (TPT) necessary to pass a predetermined repeatabilityrequirement, wherein calculating the TPT comprises dividing anuncertainty coverage factor by a target meter factor uncertainty andutilizing the flowmeter data; calculating, with the proving routine ofthe diagnostic tool, an estimated minimum base prover volume (BPV);operating the Coriolis mass flowmeter, with the meter electronics, forthe calculated TPT.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein calculating theestimated minimum BPV needed to achieve the calculated TPT comprisesutilizing a measured flow rate and a number of passes and/or runs. 9.The method of claim 7, wherein the meter electronics with the Coriolismass flowmeter comprises the diagnostic tool.
 10. The method of claim 7,wherein flowmeter data comprises a flow rate.
 11. The method of claim10, wherein the flow rate comprises an instantaneous flow rate.
 12. Themethod of claim 11, wherein the instantaneous flow rate is a flow ratedetermined over a predetermined sampling window.
 13. The method of claim7, wherein calculating the estimated minimum number of runs needed toachieve the calculated TPT comprises utilizing a measured flow rate anda BPV.
 14. A meter electronics configured to operate a Coriolisflowmeter: wherein the meter electronics interfaces with the Coriolisflowmeter, and wherein the Coriolis flowmeter comprises a sensorassembly further comprising a driver and a pair of pickoffs incommunication with at least one flow conduit, and wherein the meterelectronics is configured to provide a signal to the driver, and receivea signal from the pickoffs during Coriolis flowmeter operation; a userinterface with the meter electronics configured to accept a user input,wherein the input comprises at least one of a base prover volume (BPV),a desired number of passes per run, and maximum number of allowed runs;a diagnostic tool in communication with the meter electronics, thediagnostic tool comprising a proving routine, wherein the provingroutine is configured to at least one of calculate an estimated totalprove time (TPT) necessary to pass a predetermined repeatabilityrequirement, calculate an estimated minimum number of runs needed toachieve the calculated TPT, and calculate an estimated minimum baseprover volume (BPV), wherein calculating the TPT comprises dividing anuncertainty coverage factor by a target meter factor uncertainty andutilizing the flowmeter data; and wherein the meter electronics isfurther configured to operate the Coriolis flowmeter for at least one ofthe estimated total prove time (TPT), the estimated minimum number ofruns, and the estimated minimum base prover volume (BPV).
 15. Thediagnostic tool of claim 14, wherein flowmeter data comprises a flowrate.
 16. The diagnostic tool of claim 15, wherein the flow ratecomprises an instantaneous flow rate.
 17. The diagnostic tool of claim16, wherein the instantaneous flow rate is a flow rate determined over apredetermined sampling window.
 18. The diagnostic tool of claim 14,wherein calculating the estimated minimum number of runs needed toachieve the calculated TPT comprises utilizing a measured flow rate anda BPV.
 19. The diagnostic tool of claim 14, wherein calculating theestimated minimum BPV needed to achieve the calculated TPT comprisesutilizing a measured flow rate and a number of passes and/or runs. 20.The meter electronics of claim 14, wherein the meter electronicscomprises the diagnostic tool.